Daijiworld Media Network - Leverkusen
Leverkusen, Jul 13: Bundesliga champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the signature of USA international Malik Tillman from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, in a record-breaking deal reportedly worth €35 million. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has inked a long-term contract that runs until June 30, 2030, marking a significant return to his native Germany.
Born in Nuremberg and of German-American heritage, Tillman returns to the Bundesliga after a standout season in the Netherlands. During the 2023–24 campaign, he tallied 16 goals and five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions for PSV, including three goals and two assists in the UEFA Champions League, highlighting his prowess on the European stage.
At his unveiling, Tillman spoke about his ambitions with his new club:
“This club has always played great football. But in the last four or five years, Leverkusen have grown enormously and become attractive to a lot of players throughout Europe. I want to win something. That was my aim in Glasgow and Eindhoven, and it remains my aim here.”
Tillman's football journey began at Greuther Fürth, before progressing through Bayern Munich’s youth academy. He gained first-team experience during loan spells at Rangers in Scotland and PSV in the Netherlands, eventually making his move to Eindhoven permanent in early 2024.
Initially representing Germany at youth level, Tillman switched international allegiance to the United States in 2022. He has since become a key figure in the U.S. squad, particularly impressing during the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where the U.S. finished runners-up.
Leverkusen’s Managing Director of Sport, Simon Rolfes, praised the new acquisition:
“In Malik Tillman, we have gained another player who has great ability and is very dangerous in front of the goal. He can play in midfield either as a number 10 or as a number 8. Malik is an absolute top signing for us. His style suits Bayer 04 Leverkusen down to the ground.”
Tillman’s signing underlines Leverkusen's intent to remain a dominant force domestically and in Europe, as they continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.